Need insight on boot stripes

[LuvInIt]

Boot Top or Boot Stripe

I am a beginning sailor so I am reading everything I can get my eyes on. So, when I was reading Sailing Skills and Seamanship by the Coast Guard Aux., page 61 about Boot Stripes I remembered your post. Boot Stripes have a purpose. They are painted at or just above the waterline as a guide when loading your boat. When loaded, your boat boot stripe should be parallel to the water line. If it is, then your boat is in Trim. Might not be an issue for short day sailing but if you are loaded for a cruise and find your self in heavy seas, then it might become an big issue! I think they are cool looking as well! Just me.. Best regards, Rags

 

[hman]

If you keep your boat in the water at a marina or on a mooring, the boot stripe at the water line is important because the staff can check and see if your boat is taking on water or not at a glance. More than one time a boat has been saved from sinking because someone noticed the boot stripe had gone below the water line...

 

[Pat]

I think you are correct in No. 1....on our boat there is (from bottom up)..a 3/4 red vinyl tape along the water line ....then coming up there is a 5 inch wide bootstripe...white in our case...w/the grey hull....you can find the various colors and width's of vinyl tape by simply going to google and typing in vinyl tape for cars or boats.....Pat

 

[WayneH]

If you keep your boat in the water at a marina or on a mooring, the boot stripe at the water line is important because the staff can check and see if your boat is taking on water or not at a glance. More than one time a boat has been saved from sinking because someone noticed the boot stripe had gone below the water line...

It wasn't the boot stripe on my neighbor's boat that I noticed. It was the moss line. Went by the boat one day and noticed the moss line was an inch underwater instead of right at the waterlevel. When I got the owner on the phone, he said the fuel dock added 100 gallons of fuel instead of the 50 he asked for. So his boot stripe was still out of the water but his trim was definitely affected by the extra 50 gallons of diesel. And I got thanked for checking on a stinkpotter's boat.